Original Word: מַלְכָּה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: malkah
Pronunciation: mal-KAH
Phonetic Spelling: (mal-kaw')
KJV: queen
NASB: Queen, queens, queen's
Word Origin: [feminine of H4428 (מֶלֶך - king)]

1. a queen

queen

Feminine of melek; a queen -- queen.

see HEBREW melek

Word Origin
fem. of melek
Definition
queen
NASB Translation
Queen (17), queen (14), queen's (2), queens (2).

מַלְכָּה₃₅ noun feminine queen: — absolute ׳מ Esther 1:9 24t. Esther; construct מַלְכַּת 1 Kings 10:1 7t.; plural מְלָכוֺת Songs 6:8,9; — queen of Sheba 1 Kings 10:1,4,10,13 2Chron 9:1; 9:3; 9:9; 9:12 of Persia, Vashti Esther 1:9 7t. Esther 1; Esther Esther 2:22 16t. Esther 4-9 (in Esther mostly apposition of proper name; it precedes proper name Esther 1:12,15; follows proper name Esther 1:9 17t.); of Israel queens only plural and only Songs 6:8,9 (both "" מִּילַגְשִׁים). compare גְּבִירָה.

Meaning and Scope

מַלְכָּה denotes a female who possesses royal authority either by birth, marriage, or appointment. The term ranges from reigning monarchs (Esther) and consorts (Vashti), to powerful queen mothers (Jeremiah 13:18). At times it is used symbolically of Israel’s idealized bride or the nations that will serve the Lord (Psalm 45:9; Isaiah 49:23).

Canonical Distribution

The word appears about thirty-five times, concentrated in:
• 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles (accounts of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba);
• Esther (eighteen occurrences, describing Vashti and Esther);
• Jeremiah and Lamentations (warnings to the king and queen mother of Judah);
• Psalms, Proverbs, Song of Solomon, Nehemiah, and Isaiah (poetic and prophetic imagery).

Historical Context

In the Ancient Near East queens wielded real influence—political, religious, and diplomatic. Scripture reflects this milieu yet also shapes it: queens rise or fall according to covenant faithfulness. The Queen of Sheba honors Solomon’s God (1 Kings 10:1–13), whereas Vashti is set aside for defying royal command (Esther 1:12-19). Esther, risk-taking and obedient, delivers her people and models righteous power under divine sovereignty.

Notable Bearers

1. Queen of Sheba: “When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the Name of the LORD, she came to test him with hard questions” (1 Kings 10:1). Her pilgrimage prefigures Gentile homage to Israel’s Messiah.
2. Vashti: Deposed for refusing to appear before Ahasuerus’s banquet guests (Esther 1), illustrating that beauty and rank without submission do not guarantee security.
3. Esther: “He set the royal crown on her head and made her queen in place of Vashti” (Esther 2:17). Through prayer and courage she secures the preservation of the Jewish nation.
4. Queen Mothers of Judah: Jeremiah 13:18 warns, “Say to the king and to the queen mother: ‘Take a lowly seat, for your glorious crowns have fallen from your heads.’” Their fate illustrates that lineage cannot shield from judgment.
5. Symbolic Bride: “At Your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir” (Psalm 45:9). The Messianic King’s bride foreshadows the Church, arrayed in righteousness.

Theological and Typological Significance

1. Covenant Blessing to the Nations: The Queen of Sheba’s confession (“Blessed be the LORD your God,” 1 Kings 10:9) anticipates Gentile inclusion.
2. Mediatorial Ministry: Esther’s intercession mirrors the greater Mediator who risks all to plead for His people (Hebrews 7:25).
3. Bridal Imagery: The “queen” in Psalm 45 and Song of Solomon speaks to the marriage of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7), reinforcing the union of Christ and His redeemed.
4. Reversal Motif: Vashti falls; Esther rises. Proud queens are humbled; humble petitioners are exalted—echoing James 4:6.

Prophetic and Eschatological Themes

Isaiah 49:23 envisions a future where “Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers.” Royal submission to Zion confirms the worldwide reign of Messiah and the vindication of God’s people. Revelation 18’s lament over Babylon’s boast, “I sit as queen,” exposes the doom of any power that would rival God.

Application for Ministry

• Leadership: Queens who fear God (Esther) bless nations; those who rebel (Vashti, Babylon) bring ruin. Spiritual leaders must combine authority with obedience.
• Intercession: Esther’s fasting and plea encourage believers to engage both heaven and earth on behalf of the oppressed.
• Identity: The Church, called a queen in Messianic psalms, should live in royal holiness, clothed with Christ’s righteousness, awaiting the King’s appearing.
• Teaching the Next Generation: Jeremiah’s address to the queen mother shows how parental influence shapes national destiny. Homes and congregations must nurture godly succession.

Throughout Scripture מַלְכָּה underscores that all earthly crowns are ultimately accountable to the King of Kings, and faithful queens—literal or figurative—point beyond themselves to His everlasting dominion.

בַּמַּלְכָּ֖ה במלכה הַמַּלְכָּ֑ה הַמַּלְכָּ֔ה הַמַּלְכָּ֖ה הַמַּלְכָּ֗ה הַמַּלְכָּ֛ה הַמַּלְכָּ֣ה הַמַּלְכָּ֧ה הַמַּלְכָּֽה׃ הַמַּלְכָּה֙ המלכה המלכה׃ וְהַמַּלְכָּֽה׃ וּמַֽלְכַּת־ והמלכה׃ ומלכת־ לְמַֽלְכַּת־ למלכת־ מְּלָכ֔וֹת מְלָכ֥וֹת מַֽלְכַּת־ מלכות מלכת־ bam·mal·kāh bammalKah bammalkāh ham·mal·kāh hammalKah hammalkāh lə·mal·kaṯ- lemalkat ləmalkaṯ- mal·kaṯ- malkat malkaṯ- mə·lā·ḵō·wṯ melaChot məlāḵōwṯ ū·mal·kaṯ- umalkat ūmalkaṯ- vehammalKah wə·ham·mal·kāh wəhammalkāhInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts